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Falana Criticises FG On Shiites, Police Clash

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Federal Government over the clash between members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and police officers in Abuja.

Members of the Islamic movement ended in a clash with police officers on Monday, after they took to the streets in Abuja to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. Their leader has been in custody for over two years, without trial.

Falana in a statement on Monday said the security forces breached the fundamental rights of the protesters and that the Federal Government has not given any justifiable reason why it has continued to keep Elzakzaky in custody without trial, despite the court order for his release.

“The violent disruption of the peaceful rally of the Shiites was carried out by security forces outside the ambit of the law. The security forces breached the fundamental rights of the protesters to life, freedom from torture, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.

“Meanwhile, the Federal Government has not adduced any justifiable reason why it has continued to incarcerate the Elzakzakys in utter contempt of the Federal High Court. If the Federal Government is genuinely desirous to stop the protests, it has to comply with the valid and subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court forthwith,” the statement read in part.

The Human Rights lawyer said the Nigeria Police Force is required by law to provide adequate security for any group of Nigerians demonstrating for or against the government.

He also called for the prosecution of those who disrupted the protest, adding that “they ought to be prosecuted for culpable homicide.”